WORK on a £3.5m affordable housing development on the site of a former hotel has started.

Anwyl Partnerships has started construction on the site of the former Edelweiss Hotel. A total of 31 apartments will be created. This includes 14 one-bedroom and 17 two-bedroom homes in Colwyn Bay.

The former hotel, once known as one of the jewels in Colwyn Bay’s crown, was demolished, making way for re-development.

ClwydAlyn acquired the site several years prior and appointed Anwyl Partnerships as its preferred construction partner, marking the third project Anwyl is currently on site with for the social housing provider.

The ‘carefully designed’ development sits on a 0.5 acre site replacing what the derelict hotel, which has been subject to vandalism and anti-social behaviour for many years since closure in 2009.

Tom Anwyl, managing director of Anwyl Partnerships, said: “This development is going to be a fantastic edition to Colwyn Bay, providing a number of quality homes for local people. We are underway with construction work and are expected to achieve completion in September this year.”

“Throughout the construction programme, we will be working closely with ClwydAlyn to ensure that the work we carry out will have a lasting and positive impact on the local community through the creation of new jobs and training opportunities whilst boosting the local economy through utilising a locally sourced supply chain.

“Initial stages of masonry are now underway with construction works focusing on the ground floor of the new building. The scheme included extensive enabling works prior to commencement of construction, providing stability to the site and adjacent areas and protecting the nearby woodland and river.

“A rock face on the site perimeter was carefully excavated and crushed, the waste material from which was used as fill for a ‘green’ retaining wall around the site boundary.”

Craig Sparrow, ClwydAlyn’s executive director of Development said: “This is an exciting development in the town that demonstrates our on-going commitment towards the regeneration of Colwyn Bay as well as Conwy county and the surrounding area.

“The development also helps address the shortage of quality affordable housing in Conwy, and we’re delighted to see construction under way with the support of Conwy Council and the Welsh Government.”